Rovers booked their place in the last 16 of the FA Cup this afternoon with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Barnet.

Rickie Lambert scored the only goal of the contest, sending home a diving header early on in the second half in front of just under 2,000 travelling Gasheads.

It was a game that could have turned out very differently, with Steve Phillips keeping the scoreline at 0-0 within the first minute after the visitors conceded an early penalty.

Joe Jacobson was adjudged to have handled a driven ball in, but Jason Puncheon was denied as the Rovers goalkeeper dived away to his left to keep the ball out.

The away side responded with good work from David Pipe setting up a superbly saved Chris Lines volley, and the Stuart Campbell was only just the wrong side of the upright as he fired in an effort from distance.

Andy Williams was the next player to flash a shot wide, and then the striker turned creator moments later as he beat three defenders before finding Lambert whose shot was just a couple of yards past the post.

Cliff Akurang came close to giving Barnet the lead just before half-time, but his header from an unmarked position was well saved by Phillips.

The second half saw Rovers playing down the Underhill slope, and within four minutes of the restart Paul Trollope's side were ahead.

Campbell picked out Pipe with a good pass, and his delivery into the box was met by a diving Lambert who was able to direct a powerful downward header past Lee Harrison.

Joe Jacobson went close to increasing Rovers' lead with a free-kick deflected over for a corner, and substitute Sammy Igoe was unlucky as his effort crept just wide from around 20 yards.

Neal Bishop rifled a shot wide for Barnet, and Giuliano Grazioli came off the bench to force a good save from Phillips in the closing stages of the second half.

Igoe and Richard Walker both went close in the final moments of the match, and despite some late Barnet pressure, the Rovers defence held out to keep a crucial clean sheet.

It was a thoroughly professional display from Rovers who were composed and clinical when they needed to be against a side that never gave up pressing and harrying.

The final 16 of the FA Cup now awaits, and Rovers fans everywhere can relax as they look forward to Monday's fifth round draw.

Reported by Ian Cole